FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Amos Harris, Board of Directors

March 27, 2026 Email: amos@spinstl.com

National Blues Museum Announces Cessation of Operations

Museum to close to the general public today; two final performances this weekend

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Board of Directors of the National Blues Museum announced today that the museum will cease operations effective Friday, March 27, 2026. The museum will be closed to the general public, with two final performances to be held this weekend as a farewell celebration of the music and the community that made the institution possible. The Board invites the public to come enjoy the blues one last time.

Since opening its doors in 2016, the National Blues Museum has celebrated the profound cultural impact of the blues and served as a gathering place for music, education, and community in the heart of downtown St. Louis. The museum has hosted thousands of visitors, educators, and artists on Washington Avenue, honoring the legends, the unsung heroes, and the trailblazers who gave voice to generations through their music.

The economic climate of downtown St. Louis has impacted the museum’s ability to operate sustainably. The visitor economy in downtown has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and the drop in pedestrian traffic has been significant. The recent elimination of federal funding sources has compounded these challenges beyond what the organization can absorb. After careful deliberation, the Board of Directors made this difficult decision, one that did not come lightly.

“Serving at the helm of the National Blues Museum has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my career in music,” said Dr. Robert Nelson, Executive Director. “This institution was built to preserve the legacy and honor the history of the music that gave voice to generations, and being part of that mission has been a privilege I don’t take for granted. We set out to show people just how deep the roots of the blues go, and I’m proud of what we accomplished together. While this is an incredibly difficult moment, I believe the story of the blues will continue to be told. It lives on through us.”

The organization will continue to exist as the Board completes an orderly wind-down of operations and explores a reimagined path forward to preserve the museum’s legacy and the stories it was created to share. The Board is also encouraging local lawmakers to engage in longer-term strategic discussions about sustainable economic development in downtown St. Louis.

Ticket refunds for canceled performances are already being processed. Ticket holders with questions may contact info@NationalBluesMuseum.org.

The Board extends its sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff, along with the artists, supporters, educators, partners, and visitors who helped build the National Blues Museum into a respected cultural institution dedicated to the music that shaped American culture.

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About the National Blues Museum

The National Blues Museum opened in 2016 at 615 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The museum was dedicated to preserving the legacy and honoring the history of the blues, the music that gave voice to generations and stands as the root of all American music. Through interactive exhibits, live performances, and educational programming, the museum celebrated how the blues touched and influenced every corner of the United States and beyond.